(Newser)
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Somali pirates hijacked a Liberian chemical tanker with 27 crew members today in the Gulf of Aden. A rescue helicopter arrived too late to prevent the hijacking but did pick up three security guards who had jumped into the sea. Greek authorities, meanwhile, said a Greek-owned cargo ship seized by Somali pirates more than two months ago was released yesterday, and that all 25 crew members are unharmed.

Today's hijacking is the 97th of the year. Both France and Germany, which have ships in the area as part of an international anti-piracy coalition, sent the helicopter after receiving a distress call just after dawn. Russia's UN ambassador said it was possible the UN would pass a new resolution with more aggressive rules of engagement.